EU leaders seek boost in two-way trade with China

BRUSSELS (AP) — China is already the No. 2 trading partner of the European Union, but EU leaders are using a summit in Brussels to call for even more trade and investment.

Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang is visiting the EU on Monday to mark the 40th anniversary of the establishment of official ties with Beijing.

One of the Chinese premier’s hosts, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, said two-way trade already is more than 1 billion euros (dollars) a day, but in a speech, added that “we have to do better to interconnect.”

One area where China and the EU haven’t seen eye to eye is restrictions on carbon emissions. Juncker told the visiting Chinese delegation that “in Europe, we have learned that being ambitious in climate change pays off” for the economy.